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Category Archives: DIY

As I’ve gotten older, creating and maintaining a clean and organized space around me has become one of my top priorities, both for my sanity and happiness. I’m pretty sure my mother would have never suspected I could keep a home clean, judging solely by the state of my highschool bedroom and her sheer frustration at asking me to pick up my clothing day after day. Well, it seems I’m the “Mom” now, as I explain to Josh things like how it’s necessary to wipe down the kitchen counters every night after cooking, and that just because the dog will inevitably shed more tomorrow, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t sweep today! I actually find that the little amount of time I spend on daily cleaning and tidying provides me with a bit of zen each day.

While I have no problem tackling the day to day, every now and then I take to the internet to find some good at home remedies for the “tough” stains, spots, and grime. Here are a few of my favorite tried and true cleaning tips:

Cleaning Your Stove Burners: Take each burner and place it in a large (gallon size should do it) plastic bag. Add about 1/4 cup of ammonia. Seal and let sit overnight. No scrubbing needed! It is the ammonia fumes, not the ammonia, that dissolve away all burned on grime and grease. (Source)

Keeping your Shower Tiles Fresh: Fill a dish wand (the ones with the clear handles you can put soap in 😉 ) with half Dawn dish soap and half vinegar. Wipe down walls of shower with it before showering, and rinse off during shower. (Source)

For Sparkling Sink Fixtures: Mix Borax with enough lemon juice to create a stiff paste (can be stored in a small container when needed). Rub it on, then rinse away thoroughly. (Source)

To Remove Food Stains from a Microwave: Fill a microwaveable bowl with 2 cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Add one toothpick to float on the top of the liquid. Microwave for 5 minutes, let the steam sit with the door closed for another 2 minutes. Remove turntable and wash down in the sink; wipe down sides of the microwave with a sponge or paper towel. (Source)

Remove Rust Stains from Knives: Soak your knives in lemon juice for 10-15 minutes then scrub with rough side of the sponge. (Source)

Clogged Drains: Pour about 1/2 cup of Baking Soda down the drain. Pour 2 cups Vinegar down the drain and let sit 10-15 minutes. Next, pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. If clog is still not completely broken up, run warm water and use a plunger over the drain a few times. (Source)

Cleaning a Wooden Cutting Board: Combine 2 tbsp vinegar with 1 cup of water and wipe down cutting board using dishtowel dipped in solution. Slice a lemon in half, dip pulp side in coarse sea salt, and use as a scrubber over board. Wipe down the board with water, pat dry, and finish with a little board or mineral oil. (Source)

Do you have any fantastic cleaning tips you use? I’d love to hear them!

Josh and I are off to Ikea this morning to brave the masses in hopes they will still have the bookshelf we want in stock by the time make it through the 3 miles of store aisles first. Once we have some actual shelving/storage, we can finish unpacking and I can finally start sharing some photos of our new apartment! I hope you all have a lovely weekend. xo!

Happy Saturday everyone! You know that saying, “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb”? Well, I’m really hoping we start to get more lamb than lion soon. Here in the northeast, we’ve endured 3 days of cold wind, rain, sleet and snow – weather more miserable than we’ve seen almost all “winter” long. These are a few of my favorite things that have been keeping me warm on the web this week:

Hoping you all have some fun weekend plans! I’m having brunch here today and here tomorrow, with some BYOB karaoke in Koreatown scheduled in between for this evening. God grant me the energy and stamina I had in college to make it through this marathon NYC weekend! Enjoy the day, xo.

Happy Saturday every lovely body! I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend thus far. Welcome to the 4th (5th?) installment of my weekly web recap. This past week, I’ve had my trip to Mexico on the brain and even with all the love and gushiness floating around the web for Valentine’s Day, it seems I’m not the only one with the travel bug. Whether they’re exploring new destinations or just have warm weather on the brain, these bloggers really seem to be on my wavelength this week!

I’ll be spending the rest of the day packing and spending time with the hubby (he won’t be joining me, it’s a girls’ trip). I always pack so last minute – are you a packing procrastinator like me? Mexico, here I come! xo

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P&PB contains random musing, recipes, photos, fashion, projects and other little life happenings of this 20-something newlywed, attorney, dog mommy, and amateur foodie. Recent inhabitant of Queens, NYC (by way of Brooklyn, by way of Vermont...). Come on in and make yourself at home!